2021 trading, drafting and list management: players and personnel

[MattW]

It seems like a lot of clubs rated Wilmot highly and was much in demand in the last quarter of the first round, pretty much where he was ranked by Twomey. I suppose we were one of those clubs, plus we like going for late December birthday boys.

We ended up with Rankin for that spot instead of Wilmot or Brown. It could turn out for the best in the end, especially if Sheldrick plays like a Lachie Neale.

In any case, I don't feel we have such a great need for a speedy HBF. We have plenty of options already on our list. Blakey has looked great in the role, plus he has the height to intercept mark. I also prefer McInerney in the midfield. He's more offensively minded than a defender, but I'm sure he could be moulded into the role if need be.

Ollie Florent spends a lot of time down back and has become a key part of our rebound. He does well back there. He just falls apart a times when he has to make a play into the forward line.

We will be a bit overloaded with midfielders, so one of the speedy ones will be available to play in a HBF role, like Campbell or Stephens.

I noticed that this draft had so many quick outside players who were purported to be good kicks as well. They're in vogue now and there should be plenty available in future drafts and during the trade periods.

We have a very well balanced list right now.

I agree with all of that. In particular, that Florent stands out most when playing down back in a rebounding role. The main thing he needs to fix is his propensity to be caught holding the ball.

On very well balanced list point, the main vulnerabilities are the lack of a genuinely tall and dominant backman and the age gap between Buddy and McDonald. Ideally, we would have got a few more games into Logan last year, and training in Perth until January isn't a great start. Hopefully, Chad's looking after him.

On the backman, it's a fair ask for Paddy McCartin to play meaningful senior football there, but without him moving into the side or Tom taking a big step forward, we're going to be under pressure there against good teams.

[Ludwig]

On very well balanced list point, the main vulnerabilities are the lack of a genuinely tall and dominant backman and the age gap between Buddy and McDonald. Ideally, we would have got a few more games into Logan last year, and training in Perth until January isn't a great start. Hopefully, Chad's looking after him.

On the backman, it's a fair ask for Paddy McCartin to play meaningful senior football there, but without him moving into the side or Tom taking a big step forward, we're going to be under pressure there against good teams.

It's pretty hard to get those 2 top quality KPFs and KPDs, like many championship teams have. We often find that big money recruits (May and Lever at Melbourne) have filled the gaps left open by the draft.

Since there aren't many players involved, injuries can play a major role, as has been the case with the Swans. May and Lever have had their fair share of injuries as well, and Melbourne weren't playing at top level without them.

I have to be positive about Logan. Otherwise, our forward line will be in trouble once Buddy is finished. We probably have enough to be positive about with 4 young tall forwards in Logan, Ladhams (for the time being), McLean and Amartey.

I'm hoping that the shear numbers of bodies that we have to fill one spot in defence will be adequate to do the job, recognising that Paddy, Reid and Melican all have fitness concerns, while BOC and Gould have yet to play a game of AFL football. I'm banking on the number being there and enough going right to feel positive about our key defence. Luck, as always, will have a lot to say about it.

[KSAS]

It's pretty hard to get those 2 top quality KPFs and KPDs, like many championship teams have. We often find that big money recruits (May and Lever at Melbourne) have filled the gaps left open by the draft.

Since there aren't many players involved, injuries can play a major role, as has been the case with the Swans. May and Lever have had their fair share of injuries as well, and Melbourne weren't playing at top level without them.

I have to be positive about Logan. Otherwise, our forward line will be in trouble once Buddy is finished. We probably have enough to be positive about with 4 young tall forwards in Logan, Ladhams (for the time being), McLean and Amartey.

I'm hoping that the shear numbers of bodies that we have to fill one spot in defence will be adequate to do the job, recognising that Paddy, Reid and Melican all have fitness concerns, while BOC and Gould have yet to play a game of AFL football. I'm banking on the number being there and enough going right to feel positive about our key defence. Luck, as always, will have a lot to say about it.

+1 Well articulated.

[Auntie.Gerald]

For me, the squad looks very balanced.

We have minimum 10 players outside the top22 that have experience in Snr footy.

I like this list due to each of the roles in the series team have pretty good cover. For me this is so important for your team to function and get thru the tough weeks when injuries strike.

But i suspect we can even count on some good trades next season due to the depth of the squad.

McLean and Amartey etc will be players that if lacking opportunity at the Swans could be the right addition for a few other AFL teams.

If they keep progressing but are surplus to McDonald or say Paddy coming back and doing well.......then we may have a couple late pick 30 type trades which could be very helpful next season to draft what we need

[KSAS]

Balance & depth will be even more critical next season given the AFL's covid policy that all fixtures matches will continue regardless of the number of positive tested players missing in a given round. Long as club have the numbers to field a team, the show must go on. We saw elements of this last season with Mills & Cunningham missing games. Already during this pre-season some clubs have had staff/players testing positive. Could become a real factor in this fluid covid environment.

[longmile]

So ... um ... is clarke on the list?

[707]

So ... um ... is clarke on the list?

Um - yes. He's one of 36 on the main list, plus there are 5 on the Cat A Rookie list and two Cat B Rookies in Barry O'Connor and Marc Sheather

We have one vacancy that can be either main list or Cat A rookie list. Opinion is that it will be Paddy McCartin added in January to completely fill our list, albeit we can LTI Naismith if we find the need to add another player in the Pre Season Supplementary period or in the Mid Season Draft slated for 1st June.

[707]

Paddy McCartin officially named this morning by the AFL website as "permission to train" Total of 8 players listed across the comp so far.

Others of note, Tex Wanganeen at Essendon, Cripps the younger at Carlton

[bloodspirit]

Nice review of Lachie Rankin by Rookie Me Central: 2021 AFL Draft club review: Sydney - YouTube. Pumped me up a bit about him. Obviously he's got a way to go, but it sounds like the potential is there!

[dejavoodoo44]

Nice review of Lachie Rankin by Rookie Me Central: 2021 AFL Draft club review: Sydney - YouTube. Pumped me up a bit about him. Obviously he's got a way to go, but it sounds like the potential is there!

Elite kick: should come in handy.